US, Russia reach deal on Syria ceasefire

U.S. officials say the United States and Russia have reached an agreement for a cease-fire in southwest Syria.

Author:
WVEC Staff

Published:
1:18 PM EDT July 7, 2017

Updated:
1:18 PM EDT July 7, 2017

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) - U.S. officials say the United States and Russia have reached an agreement for a cease-fire in southwest Syria.

The cease-fire is set to take effect July 9 at noon Damascus time. Word of the cease-fire has emerged as President Donald Trump is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The officials weren't authorized to discuss the cease-fire publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The deal marks a new level of involvement for the U.S. in trying to resolve Syria's civil war.

A separate deal to create "de-escalation zones" was brokered Russia, Turkey and Iran, but not the U.S. Follow-up talks this week in Kazakhstan to finalize a cease-fire in those zones failed to reach a deal.

The U.S. and Russia have been backing opposing sides in Syria's war.

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